Good Counsel Inc

Housing: in 2024, good counsel provided housing for 127 mothers and welcomed 38 newborns, bringing the total number of children cared for to 80. Securing stable housing during pregnancy is critically important for both the mother and her unborn child. Without a safe and secure place to live, a pregnant woman faces increased risks-physically, emotionally, and medically. Stress from housing instability can lead to complications like premature birth, low birth weight, and poor maternal health. A stable home provides the foundation for proper nutrition, rest, prenatal care, and emotional well-being-all essential for a healthy pregnancy. It also gives an expectant mother peace of mind and the dignity of knowing she and her baby are safe. When housing is secure, she can focus on preparing for motherhood rather than surviving day to day. At good counsel, we understand that meeting this basic need can be life- changing. That's why we act quickly when a woman reaches out for help- because a stable home is the first step toward a healthy life for two. A perfect example of this come from veronica. When veronica learned she was pregnant, she was living with her sister - who soon discovered she was also expecting. Incredibly, both were pregnant with twins. With limited space, the sister asked veronica to move out. Relying on her income from her job, veronica managed to pay for a hotel while trying to save enough for a permanent home. But carrying twins and nearing her due date, she had to begin maternity leave, which led to a drastic reduction in income. The hotel quickly became unaffordable. Every shelter she contacted was full. Hope began to fade-until someone brought her to good counsel. Just days after arriving at good counsel, veronica gave birth to her twin boys - marc and marcus. Her case manager was by her side in the delivery room, and having someone there to hold her hand brought immense comfort and relief. Veronica is incredibly grateful for the loving, supportive home she found at good counsel. With access to childcare, she's now pursuing her education and plans to enter the medical field. Alongside the other moms, she shares in daily responsibilities like cooking and chores-building both life skills and a sense of community. She often says good counsel has transformed her life and restored her hope for the future. Some mothers stay at good counsel throughout their pregnancy, while others arrive after giving birth-it all depends on their individual circumstances. Many pregnant women come to us in an emergency and may later reunite with family or secure an apartment before delivery. Others call from the hospital shortly after giving birth. Hospitals will not discharge a mother and baby without a safe place to go. Still, some new mothers return to their apartment alone with a newborn, in urgent need of not only housing but also the support and guidance every new mom deserves-especially those who have no one to be with them day or night.

Advocacy: advocacy is essential for good counsel moms because many of them come to us overwhelmed, isolated, and unfamiliar with how to navigate complex systems-from housing and healthcare to employment and legal services. They are often facing crisis situations without the knowledge, support, or confidence to speak up for themselves. That's where advocacy makes a life-changing difference. At good counsel, we do not just provide a loving home - we stand beside each mother, helping her understand her rights, access critical resources, and find her voice. Whether it's securing medical care, applying for benefits, or defending her right to keep her child, advocacy ensures that she is not alone in the fight for stability, dignity, and a better future. Through compassionate guidance and hands-on support, we help our moms build the strength and self-confidence they need to stand tall-not just for themselves, but for their children. When jessica (name changed for privacy) walked through the doors of our spring valley home, she carried with her the hopes of becoming the best mother she could be - and the heavy burden of untreated mental illness. Her journey was not easy. But with compassion, patience, and unwavering support, jessica found the strength to rebuild her life. Jessica's mental health diagnosis required monthly injections to help stabilize her symptoms. At first, it was a struggle - the facility where she received care couldn't administer her medication, and the risk of relapse loomed large. But she didn't have to face it alone. Our team stepped in: picking up her medication, driving her to the hospital for the injection, and eventually arranging for a nurse to administer her treatment in our home. We walked with her through every setback and breakthrough. At good counsel, mental health care is not optional - it's essential. Many of the mothers who come to us are fleeing abusive relationships, homelessness, or other traumas. Studies show that nearly 80% of women who undergo physical abuse also suffer from significant mental health challenges, including ptsd, depression, and anxiety. In fact, women who have experienced intimate partner violence are more than twice as likely to develop a mental illness.

All other accomplishments: 1.teaching our good counsel moms how to drive is a vital step toward their independence and long-term stability. Many of the women we serve come to us with little to no support network and limited access to reliable transportation. Without the ability to drive, even basic tasks-like getting to work, taking a child to daycare, going to medical appointments, or attending school-become major obstacles. By learning to drive, our moms gain the freedom to manage their lives more confidently and securely. Driving empowers them to take control of their schedules, pursue job opportunities, and care for their children without relying on others. It's not just about transportation-it's about breaking the cycle of dependence and building the foundation for a self-sufficient, hopeful future. 2.2.overall, more than 100,000 individuals per year learn about good counsel's services through mailings, emails, social media posts, and events. This advocacy effort allows others to spread the word offering hope. Sometimes, just knowing there is a "home" if someone is abandoned, by the father of her child or others in her family, is enough hope to go on and continue working through her pregnancy. Should she need housing, she knows she can find it.